Design of multi-axial load cell to measure the forces and moments acting on engine mounts

Abstract

A new load cell has been designed and manufactured which is able to measure the three components of force and three components of moment. Strain gages are conveniently located on highly stressed areas. The mechanical behavior of the load cell is described by means of Finite Element Method that allow a quick preliminary design focused on the given technical speci cations. In order to obtain the nal elastic element geometry, several di erent geometries have been considered for application and analyzed whether if they satisfy strain and stress requirements. Fatigue strength analysis and error analysis of the proposed design alternatives have been carried out in order to provide a load cell which is both simple and is capable of sensitively measuring multi-axial loads along a wide dynamic range of load levels. The load cell has a high accuracy reading capability with a very high degree of decoupling between readings along the respective axes, with a low cross-talk. An accurate, e cient balance calibration system is also designed and manufactured. The load cell is then used successfully in a vehicle to measure the loads acting on engine mounts.